A-FOUR-MONTH-OLD boy who was born prematurely died suddenly of meningitis just a month after being given a clean bill of health by doctors.

Little DJ Quinn had been allowed home to parents Megan Marlow and Daniel Quinn in August after spending three months in hospital.

But just a month later he passed away within hours of the first signs of deadly meningitis.

Now Megan, 18, and labourer Daniel, 21, want to raise awareness of the illness.

And they are holding a vigil with candles on the beach today in his memory.

Daniel-Francis Rodney Vivian Quinn, known as DJ, was born on May 27 weighing just two pounds and nine ounces.

Megan said: “He was born in lockdown and spent 87 days in intensive care at Poole. We were allowed to see him twice a day.

“He had sepsis twice, suffered respiratory disease and had surgery for two hernias in Southampton Hospital.

“On August 21 they said he was strong enough to come home. He weighed eight pounds, 11 ounces and doctors said he was very lucky to be sent home so well.”

DJ joined his parents at their home in Christchurch Road, Boscombe and was fine until Thursday September 24.

Megan added: “He was a bit clingy and I thought he had a cold. He had a little bit of a rash but I gave him some Calpol at about 5pm and it went away.

“He was sick at 8pm but he went back to sleep and seemed fine. At 9pm I heard a difference in his breathing. He was completely covered in a purple rash and his lips were blue. I knew what it was straightaway.”

Megan dialled 999 and paramedics took him to hospital. At 1am Megan and Daniel were told there was nothing medics could do and he was pronounced dead.

Megan added: “I want to make people aware of how quickly this can happen. The rash went away so I thought it was fine. Within an hour he was completely covered in a purple rash and there was nothing anybody could do.”

The memorial will be held on the beach near the Oceanarium at midday today.

Megan and Daniel said social distancing requirements will be adhered to.

A Go Fund Me page has also been set up to help with funeral costs. It can be found at gofundme.com/f/a-special-little-boy